Santa Cruz aims to stop redemption center fraud, theft

Santa Cruz aims to stop redemption center fraud, theft

Officials in Santa Cruz, California have given the green light to a careful review of redemption center records in an effort to track the movement of stolen goods turned in for cash.

City Council members voted 6-1 in favor of ramping up redemption center scrutiny on Tuesday, heeding the call of a recommendation made by the city's Transportation and Public Works Commission in September. Numerous residents and Council members had complained that bottles and cans stolen from curbside recycling bins, along with copper piping and bicycle parts, were being redeemed at local redemption centers and scrap metal buy-back centers.

In addition, Council members voted to begin the process of conducting "conditional use" reviews of applicable local centers, allowing the surrounding community to voice their concerns regarding a number of issues, including safety and theft. If centers are found unable to resolve outlying issues, they would be required to close.

Santa Cruz will also seek assistance and guidance from the state of California to limit scavenging.